Chief Medical Officer Chris Whitty responds to criticism levelled at Oxford vaccine

direct to your inboxThe Chief Constable of Greater Manchester has taken sick leave due to a debilitating ear condition.Ian Hopkins has been living with the illness for several months, but decided to take time off work as it worsened.In a statement, he said: "I would not normally wish to discuss my personal health in public."However, I am happy to share the following personal information."I have been suffering with labyrinthitis since the end of October.

direct to your inboxThe professor who led research into the University of Oxford's Covid-19 vaccination has issued a dire warning about the possible impact of the relaxation of coronavirus restrictions over Christmas.Sarah Gilbert joined NHS bosses in expressing fears about a third wave of the pandemic in the new year, just as Germany announced a hard lockdown because of record numbers of cases and deaths there.Although cases are falling in Tier 3 Greater Manchester, the infection rate for

Bolton has been charged following an incident which saw police officers doused with an accelerant and a property set alight.Christian Smith, of Higher Market Street, Farnworth, has been charged with one count of arson with intent to endanger life, one count of affray, one count of actual bodily harm to a police officer and one count of harassment.The 51-year-old has been remanded into custody.He will appear before Manchester and Salford Magistrates Court tomorrow (Monday, December 14).

Sign up for our What's On newsletter - for all the latest whether you're staying in or heading out and aboutA new vegan pizza restaurant is almost ready to open its doors in the Northern Quarter after snapping up the old Earth Cafe site.Four Side pizza - named because of the Detroit-style square pizzas it will serve - has moved into the basement unit left vacant by the decades-old cafe.The new concept comes from Dan Hope, formerly of Firebird Hope and also the man behind vegan doughnut truck

direct to your inbox The mayor’s office has repeatedly refused to say whether it has confidence in the Chief Constable of Greater Manchester Police after a damning report found the force was failing to record one in four violent crimes. It also cast doubt over the Chief’s long-term future at the helm of the force and criticised the fact he has not fronted up any interviews today.

straight to your inbox every day for freeJuventus director Fabio Paratici has stoked the Paul Pogba transfer fire at Manchester United by claiming the Italian club still "love" the player. Pogba's agent Mino Raiola insisted it is "over" for the Frenchman at United on the eve of the Reds' 3-2 defeat by RB Leipzig.

direct to your inboxHashem Abedi, the convicted brother of Manchester Arena bomber Salman Abedi, has admitted playing a 'full and knowing part' in the 'planning and preparation' for the attack.The development was revealed at the ongoing public inquiry into the atrocity.Hashem, 23, was found guilty of 22 counts of murder, one count of attempted murder and one count of conspiracy to cause an explosion, following a trial in March.He was subsequently jailed for a minimum of 55 years in August.Hashem

Bolton.Christopher Hardman, 46, died weeks after suffering serious injuries in an assault outside a fish and chip shop in Winchester Way, Breightmet, on July 13.Christopher Walton, of Tonge Moor Road, Bolton, appeared at Manchester Crown Court today (Monday, December 7).The 23-year-old pleaded not guilty to a charge of murder.He also denied further charges of robbery and possession of an offensive weapon.In August, Bolton Crown Court heard that the robbery charge related to a carjacking, which

direct to your inboxA yellow weather warning has been issued for Greater Manchester.Snow and sleet has already arrived in some parts of the region and is forecast to continue falling into Friday evening.The Met Office has issued a yellow weather warning for snow, sleet and rain from now until 9pm .Motorists are warned of tricky driving conditions with an increased risk of collisions.Forecasters say the rain will turn to wintry showers this evening and continue overnight, falling heaviest over

hereBut he said that when he first 'started to broach' the need for new protective counter-terror legislation 'it became clear that the door to conversation was closed'.Mr Aldworth said in the statement he was 'badgering' the Home Office - and said he was even 'banned' from using the term 'Protect Duty'.He said in the statement: "While the phrase [banned] was used lightheartedly, its application was real."It became clear that our persistence had gone beyond the point of tolerance and that a

After a long, hard year for many,Christmasis just around the corner.And though it's probably going to be different to what we're used to, Greater Manchester residents are still looking for ways to safely enjoy the season.And our festive celebrations usually involve popping bottles and getting merry. Stocking up on Christmas booze - whether it's for gifts for loved ones or to add to your household's stash - is an exciting part of our annual Christmas shop.

straight to your inboxLa Liga president Javier Tebas admits the Spanish league are working on provisional plans to account for any drop in revenue if Lionel Messi leaves Barcelona.Messi came close to ending his long association with Barcelona in the summer, but decided to stay to avoid a costly legal battle with the club he loves. Manchester City were strongly linked with Messi's signature at the time and view themselves as front-runners to land the Argentine were he to leave Catalonia.

Manchester Evening News that hospital A&E departments in areas like Greater Manchester, where rates of Covid infection are higher than the national average, are suffering from overcrowding. Dr Gavin said: "It's particularly bad in the North West and Greater Manchester because of high levels of Covid infection."We can't provide a good quality of care when a patient is on a corridor.

mounting tensions between Greater Manchester leaders and the government over lockdown measures.